Have some fun! Start with Greg Percy's song "From Matisse to You"

Brian shows careful attention to detail. He is planning how to use the green organic shapes to add emphasis and draw attention to the goldfish.

Objectives(s)

Student will:

• Actively explore masterworks by Henri Matisse
• Accurately interpret Goldfish
• Effectively demonstrate orally, visually, and/or in writing a deep understanding of Matisse’s masterwork
• Reflect upon learning

Essential Questions

• Who is Henri Matisse?   
• What is the meaning of Goldfish?

Resources & Materials

Print of "Goldfish" by Matisse
DVD: Dropping in on Matisse (Created by Pam Stephens, the author of this lesson) See the companion book.

12” x 18” ” white paper and 12” x 9” white paper
Scissors, Glue
Blue watercolor, brushes, water, salt
Textures (texture panels)
Old crayons without wrappers
Orange tissue paper
Variety of scrap paper

Internet Resources:  

Henri Matisse Online - Artcyclopedia
Matisse for Kids at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Carol Gerten Fine Art- Henri Matisse
WebMuseum: Henri Matisse

Motivation

1. Display and discuss how harmony is created with line, shape, and color in Goldfish and how every part of the painting leads the eye to the goldfish. (Note from Judy: Children might even like to have a real bowl of goldfish)
2. Contrast and compare collage to paper cutouts
3. Define and discuss multi-media designs

Activities/Sequence

Create a Multi Media Design

1. Using textures, make a rubbing on the larger paper.
2. Put this paper aside.
3. Using plenty of water, paint the smaller paper with blue watercolor paint.
4. Sprinkle salt across the surface of the wet paint. 
5. Allow to dry overnight.
6. Cut a fishbowl shape from the blue paper and glue to the collage area.
7. Cut goldfish from tissue paper and glue to fishbowl,
8. Use scrap construction paper to create organic shapes such as vines and blooming plants to encircle the goldfish bowl. 
9. Reflect upon learning

Assessment Rubric

Student Reflection

Who is Henri Matisse?

Explain how you have created harmony in your multi-media design.

Submitted by: Linda Wood,  St. John's Lower School, Houston, Texas  
Unit: Collage/painting/printmaking
Lesson Plan: "Matisse" Still Life Collage
Grade Level: Elementary  (these are 2nd grade - adaptable through middle school)
School Web Site: St. John's Lower School (click on Art stories until you see Linda's picture)

Lesson Summary: Students in Grade Two were introduced to still life artworks by many artists.  We investigated various themes and subjects painted.  Techniques of overlapping were also introduced. Following the introduction of still life painting, we switched gears to creating our own still life collages from imagination.  Potato prints and stamps were added for pattern and texture.  We used construction paper and tempera paint in the creation of these little masterpieces. Materials: Potatoes, knives, tempera paint, construction paper, watercolors, brushes, water dishes, scissors, glue Note: Scratch-Foam stamps could be made and purchased stamps could also be used.

This lesson was an imaginary still life. Linda used Matisse examples, but also other artists (See Artcyclopedia). It was also a collage. They used potato prints and stamps with Blick Premium Grade Tempera. Students could paint on anything they wanted to in the still life...patterned backgrounds, patterns on vases, etc. They could use cut paper patterns (multiple cuttings) or they could paint or stamp patterns. 

Teachers: Adapt Pam Stephens lesson plan to fit this lesson from Linda. Pam has given this lesson to Incredible Art Department as a "teaching lesson" - giving you a plan format to follow. Pam is now teaching art education methods courses.

Submitted by: Weezie Johnston,  St. John's Lower School, Houston, Texas  
Unit: Collage/figure Studies - Matisse
Lesson Plan: "Matisse" Collage with Figure
Grade Level: Elementary  (these are 4th grade - adaptable through middle school)

Materials: 

Pose-able mannequins, white 12x18 paper (or larger), assorted construction paper (fadeless is best), black construction paper, hole punchers, fancy scissors, scissors, glue. Matisse art prints:

• Henri Matisse, Le Lanceur de Couteaux, Print
• Matisse- Beasts of the Sea print
• Matisse- Purple Robe print

Procedures:

From Weezie: Matisse lesson began with the children drawing groups of mannequins in various poses.  We discussed showing action and motion in the human figure. Discuss figure proportion.

Each table of four students had a group of mannequins they were allowed to pose as they wished to show movement. Next, I showed them many Matisse collage pieces for inspiration. We discussed geometric vs. organic shapes, positive and negative space, and the elements of color. They were each given a sheet of white paper and many sheets of varying colors, hole punchers, crazy scissors, and glue. They covered the white paper completely with the cutouts from the colored paper. Lastly they selected a mannequin pose from their original drawings to draw on black paper.  They cut it out and placed it on top of their collage and...voila, they were done! 

Note to teachers: Tweak Pam Stephens' lesson plan format to fit this project. It is easy to do.